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The General Post Office (GPO) (Irish: Ard-Oifig an Phoist), designed by Francis Johnson and built in 1814, is located in Dublin's O'Connell Street, is the headquarters of An Post, the postal service of the Republic of Ireland.

During the Easter Rising of 1916, it served as the headquarters of the uprising's leaders. The assault of the British forces extensively damaged the building and it was not repaired until the Irish Free State government took up the task some years later. The original columns outside are still pocked with bullet-marks, (although some people may say these marks were caused by weathering) as a testimony to this violent history and the building has remained a symbol of Irish nationalism and Irish national history. In commemoration of the failed Rising, a statue depicting the death of the mythical hero Cúchulainn is housed in the front of the building. This statue was featured on the Irish ten shilling coin of 1966 and on the "B Series" £20 currency note. As of 2005, the Irish government intends to transfer all postal business from the GPO and dedicate the entire building to the commemoration of the Easter Rising.

Formerly Nelson's Pillar was in front of the building, however this was destroyed by the IRA in an explosion in 1966. The Spire of Dublin now takes a dominant position in front of the building. Draws for Prize Bonds are held weekly, on Fridays, in the building.

References

1. GPO to become 1916 monument - The Irish Times, 30 October 2005

External links

• Irish Architecture Online: GPO history and pictures
• Project Gutenberg Article

• History of Ireland 1801-1922
• Buildings and structures in Dublin